Saints, Vikings open with a gesture of labor unity

If there is an NFL lockout next year at this time, the first significant visual image may have arrived Thursday night on NBC's national telecast of the season opener.

Just before the coin toss, players for the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings walked to the hash marks in the Louisiana SuperDome and held up their index fingers in what was, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, a gesture of unity (see NFL.com video) that players hope will become a pregame routine.

"Even though five minutes from then we were going to go out and bash each others' heads in," Brees said after the game, "we're all one voice."

Earlier in the day, DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said he hoped a new collective bargaining agreement could be reached by November. The present CBA expires in March. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he expects talks to intensify.

"All we're hearing from ownership is they want to lock us out," Brees said.

The idea to show solidarity reportedly came from Vikings and Saints representatives. The question is: Will this catch on before every game, every national telecast?

Back in '82 the players all came to the middle of the field and shooks hands to show unity... How did that season go? Yes a Redskin Super Bowl victory but also a STRIKE. :) Keep your fingers crossed...

it's incredulous that the players and the owners think they have anything without the fans. i admit that fans are addicted to the drama of the game in itself, but greed just destroys any warm and fuzzy the fans may have for either side. i think there should be some form of fan unity to let both sides know that a lock-out (inability to work out an viable solution) will have some form of retribution. maybe all the fans in the stands, can all stand up in unison and turn their backs to the field and in silence let the first series go by. then when the media asks what that was all about, tell them it's about being tired of greedy people wanting all the pie. while expecting the fans to just sit back hoping to be entertained. do it at the first monday night game for full exposure. do it at each stadium every game, let it be known to all involved in the inability to be fair about negotiations, that the fans are what count. i know t.v money is what it all stems from, but it is the visual effect that matters. if fans stop watching, they got bupkiss.....

both sides need to come to the table and not play the media..what is the difference when actor/actress decides to make his view known at academy awards ceremony...same thing before a national audience...without knowing the facts how can you expect either side to impress the public...fans just want to watch football..players make too much money and owners are greedy and want every nickel...with double digit unemployment going on 3 years now do you really think anybody is interested in solidarity...nfl will lose either way...most are just plain fed up....make the deal...

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